Municipalities around Gull Lake failed to convince Alberta Environment that more study was needed to determine the value of a long-running lake stabilization program.
Representatives for Lacombe and Ponoka Counties and the Summer Villages of Gull Lake and Parkland Beach met with Environment Minister Rob Renner in Edmonton last week to discuss the 25-year-old program to maintain lake levels in dry years by pumping water out of nearby Blindman River.
A recent provincial study raised doubts about the effectiveness of the project. Alberta Environment found the average water level increase in summer months when pumping is underway is only seven cm. The total amount the lake has risen since the program began in 1974 is 21 cm.
Furthermore, since pumping is limited to times when the lake drops below a certain level and the river is high enough to provide water, pumping has only taken place 17 out of the past 30 years.
Municipalities hoped the province would be willing to do more study on the lake level issue, but the environment minister made it clear the department wasn’t interested in participating, said Lacombe County commissioner Terry Hager.
“While it was a positive meeting, we continue to be in discussions with them and examine alternatives to ensure the project remains in place,” Hager said. “There is some suggestion that perhaps further study is needed on the benefits of the lake stabilization plan so there would be better information on which to make a decision.
“And of course there is the overriding issue of funding the stabilization program itself.”
In 2009, municipalities around the lake were alarmed by reports that the province was considering dropping the project.
Lake levels can drop dramatically during dry periods because the lake is not fed by a river.
The county appealed to the environment minister to maintain the program. The minister offered provincial cash for maintenance and capital costs if the municipalities covered the annual power bill for the pumps, which is typically $100,000 to $150,000 a year. That offer was repeated at the last meeting.
Municipalities around the lake plan to meet and discuss their next steps.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com